North St Kitts: Brimstone Hill, rainforest and wild coasts

Why go

The north is where the island's history and nature come together. A single road circles it, passing villages with brightly painted houses, churches, old sugar mills and the narrow gauge railway that once carried cane to Basseterre. Inland, the land rises through former cane fields into thick rainforest.

Brimstone Hill Fortress

**Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park** is the must see sight on St Kitts and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built over about a century by enslaved Africans, it sits on a steep volcanic hill near Sandy Point Town and was one of the largest British fortifications in the Caribbean. In 1782 it was besieged by French forces. Today you can explore the Citadel, barracks and bastions, visit the museum rooms and enjoy views of Sint Eustatius, Saba and, on clear days, more distant islands. Allow at least two hours, wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the upper levels are steep and exposed.

Romney Manor and Wingfield

Near the village of Old Road, **Romney Manor** sits in landscaped gardens at the edge of the rainforest, shaded by a huge old saman tree. It is home to **Caribelle Batik**, where you can watch artisans wax and dye cloth by hand. Right next door are the **Wingfield Estate ruins**, among the oldest sugar and rum works on the island. Guided rainforest walks and a canopy zip line start nearby.

At **Old Road** itself, **Kalinago petroglyphs** carved into a boulder are a reminder of the island's first peoples. This is also close to where the English landed in 1623. A little east, **Bloody Point** marks the site of the 1626 massacre of the Kalinago by English and French settlers, a sombre but important stop.

Mount Liamuiga

The island's highest point, **Mount Liamuiga**, is a dormant volcano with a forested crater. The hike to the rim is steep, muddy and rewarding, through rainforest full of birds, and takes most of a day. Go with a licensed local guide, start early and expect to get dirty.

The northern coast

On the Atlantic side, **Black Rocks** near Belle Vue is a set of dark lava formations battered by waves, a striking stop on a round island drive. **Dieppe Bay** at the northern tip has black sand, a reef and fishing boats. The village of **Middle Island** has **St. Thomas Anglican Church**, where Sir Thomas Warner, leader of the first English settlement, is buried.

Food

There are few restaurants in the north, but they are memorable. **Sprat Net Bar and Grill** at Old Road Bay is a much loved seaside spot for fresh fish and lobster, busy with locals on weekend evenings. In villages such as Cayon and Sandy Point, small cookshops sell goat water, roti and fried fish at lunch.

Getting around

The easiest way to see the north is on a guided island tour or with a taxi for the day, agreeing the route and the fare first. Minibuses run along the coastal road from Basseterre during the day and are a cheap, friendly option for confident travellers. The **St Kitts Scenic Railway** also runs along much of this coast, giving a different view of the villages and old estates.

Combine it with

Most people visit the north from Frigate Bay or Basseterre, combining Brimstone Hill, Romney Manor and a lunch stop in one day.